Day Pitney Attorneys Honored for Pro Bono Work

Day Pitney attorneys Michael Fialkoff, Douglas Florence and Elizabeth Retersdorf clocked a combined 460 hours of free service out of the firm's Hartford and Parsippany, New Jersey, offices to become this year's recipients of the 2020 Coleman Awards, recognizing exemplary dedication to pro bono work.

The Coleman Awards are presented annually in remembrance of former firm partner Cyril Coleman, recognizing attorneys with "the highest ideals." Coleman served many public institutions, including as mayor of Hartford for two terms.

"Pro bono work is a cornerstone of Day Pitney's practice, and we are thrilled to recognize Mike, Doug and Elizabeth for their outstanding service and contributions," said Theresa Kelly, chair of Day Pitney's pro bono committee.

Fialkoff, an associate in the firm's Parsippany office, successfully litigated a matter in which the New Jersey Appellate Division ruled in favor of our pro bono client, finding that indigent defendants have a right to counsel in administrative child abuse proceedings. The case marked the first time that the courts have recognized a right to counsel in administrative proceedings in New Jersey.

Florence, a paralegal in the firm's Parsippany office, has devoted hundreds of hours to Day Pitney's SCARC Guardianship Services program, which was developed in partnership with SCARC Guardianship Services to provide pro bono legal services for allegedly incapacitated young adults. To date, Day Pitney has handled 175 SCARC matters.

Retersdorf, a counsel in the firm's Hartford office, has taken the lead role handling a pro bono litigation matter that challenges the constitutionality of the Connecticut Department of Corrections' ban on materials in the prison system. Retersdorf developed our team's case strategy and presented the case at trial, seeking to protect the civil rights of incarcerated persons.

Koskoff's Horwitz Joins Brain Injury Alliance Board

Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder managing attorney James Horwitz of Woodbridge has been elected to the board of directors of the Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut.

A past of president of the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association and president of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, Horwitz represents clients with life-altering brain injuries. He is a life member of the BIAC, which provides resources and support to brain injury survivors, families and caregivers.

"I'm deeply honored to be named a board member of this important organization," Horwitz said. "I'm looking forward to working with board members to continue their important work providing support to brain injury survivors."

Working out of Koskoff's Bridgeport and New Haven offices, Horwitz has handled medical malpractice cases related to obstetrics, cardiology, neurology and pediatric medicine. He lectures nationally on birth injuries and has worked on precedent-setting cases that resulted in record verdicts and settlements.

Julie Peters, executive director of the Brain Injury Alliance, said she is very excited that someone with Horwitz's medical and legal expertise is on the board. "Jim has represented many individuals with brain injuries over the years in his practice," she said. "And he has tremendous board experience. It's really good to have people who understand the dynamics of non-profits on the board."

Horwitz is a graduate of Colgate University, and received his Juris Doctorate from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University in New York.